By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Niagara Film Commission will keep rolling for at least one more year. The board of the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau voted Thursday to fund the Commission from the CVB budget for one year.
Last week, the county eliminated the Film Commission's $150,000 operating budget. Lawmakers instead urged the CVB to pick up the tab. That seemed unlikely since CVB officials say it is already under-funded. But CVB officials said there were too many big film projects in the works to let the commission to go under.
Included on that list for 2008 is the John Cusack film, "The Factory." Film Commissioner Tim Clark says he's relieved, grateful and excited about the possibilities for turning Buffalo into a "back-lot.".
But like Hollywood back lots, the funding scene is only temporary. The Erie County funded CVB says it does not intend to provide funding long term for what it considers a regional asset. Clark agrees. He says a regional funding solution is more appropriate since he promotes the entire Western New York area when wooing film makers.
Clark said that means his time next year will be divided between negotiating to bring films here, and finding funding to keep the Commission alive beyond 2008.
But he will first face an audition to guarantee his own survival as Commission Chief.
Clark was loudly critical of the county's decision to cut the commission, saying it was political retaliation because his brother Paul mounted a primary challenge for County Executive.
The CVB board said it will review Clark's status early in the year.
In the meantime, Clark said he has work to do, with three films already on deck for early 2008. Clark estimates the pay-back for the CVB's funding will be well in the millions for 2008 alone.
Click the "listen" icon above to hear Joyce Kryszak's story now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.